Mergler Bros.

“Mergler Up!” was heard often on many east coast racetracks throughout the 1920’s and 30’s. More often than most other names, because four Mergler brothers were all jockeys. The Mergler brothers were born in Havre de Grace. After they were orphaned, William “Billy” Garth, a renowned thoroughbred horse owner and trainer, took them under his wing and moved them to his farm outside Charlottesville, Virginia. There, he mentored them in the “family business.” Charlie, the oldest, was a steeplechase rider. Donald, Corthell, and Merritt rode thoroughbreds. In October 1927, the brothers made history when they all raced at Laurel Race Track on the same day and the 3 youngest competed against one another in the same race.